Emmen is over: from next year no more Zwarte Pieten when they enter the center. ‘Times have changed and we are changing with them’

A few years ago, this foundation argued that it would cease its activities if Zwarte Piet was abolished in Emmen. “Times have changed. The soot sweeper is gaining ground everywhere, including in Emmen. This year, eighty percent was a grime for us and our fully painted Pieten received questions from children why they are so dark. Today’s children are brought up with soot sweepers, they hardly know any other way,” says Mirthe Beverdam, chairman of the Sinterklaas Emmen foundation.